The Irish standard., 1887-06-25

TIL
was in a great measure q war against the
Catholic religion. The Irish Catholics
were generally true to their country, but
as soon as they were converted to Pro.
testantism they generally affiliated with
the enemy and were loyal to the invader.
To facilitate conversions, secure allies
to the English king and souls for hea-
ven, the penal code was passed for Ire
land enforced upon her. This orthodox
system among other things provided
that the possessions of the unregenerate
Catholic should be taken from him and
given to his brother who vowed the
faith of Ireland's foes-also honors, Of
fees and titles were bestowed upon the
convert and denied to the Catholic. This
most excellent plan for evangelizing Ire
land, which was not as successful as in
England, produced much bitter fruit
and many bitter consequences. 1t
sowed Ireland with dragons teeth! It
brought forth crop of tears, of blood,
of hate, of follies and miseries un-
paralleled. It brought William Of
Orange and James the II. to Ireland.
William represented Professionalism and
was robber. James represented Catho-
icism and was coward.
Through the cowardice of James lis
fate was sealed on the 10Th of July,
1890. William triumphed and with his
triumph and in honor of the event, was
organized the most shameless and un-
patriotic body that ever existed in any
country, the society Of questionable
Irishmen called Orangemen.
The members of this organization pro-
fess the Protestant faith. but in no true
sense represent the religious virtue or
national patriotism of those who are
Protestants from conviction. To the
credit of the Protestants of Ireland be it
said, the majority of them loathe this
society as much as their Catholic fellow
countrymen. Many of the men who,
with tongue, pen or sword, have
struggled for ireland were Protestant;
but Protestants from conviction in the
purity of it's. morals, the soundness Of
it's faith and not for pelf and worldly
gain like those belonging to The Orange
society. IF the Twelfth Of July had no
place in Ireland's calendar, Ireland
would to-day be free; but unfortunately
it has a place and annually does the
work of the enemy. This society is
worth more to England than hundred
thousand armed men in the heart of the
country. England knows that SO long
as that society exists it will breed dis
sensions in Ireland, and that so long as
dissensions exist then Ireland is at her
mercy. Hence is this society fostered
in that unhappy country.
If the people of Ireland had good
Government, they would, with their
natural ight-hearted. joyous tempera-
ment, be the happiest people in the
world, instead of being the most miser-
able. Ireland's children starve in the
midst of plenty. This no other people
would suffer. Then why do they? In
obedience to religion-"Thou shalt not
steal.''' This doctrine sounds good, in
the main is good, but it is not always
practical and often very inconvenient.
It is not morally viewing it-theft for a
person suffering for bread through no
fault of his and having no means to
purchase it to take it wherever he can
find it. Better, far better, to kill
landlord than to permit child
to starve. Better, far better, to exter-
inmate an enemy bent on your destruc-
tion, than to get on your knees and
pray that his obdurate heart be softened
and with folded hands await the stroke
that destroys you.
Ireland is fertile country, none more
so to be found. Her climate is salu-
brious. Situated as she is, she is a
stranger to extremes Of heat and cold.
The dews of heaven fall gently upon
her and enrich her hills and valleys, Gov
ering them with green mantle and pro-
ducing the heaviest of crops. Her pas
lures are rich and sweet, hence he1
dairy has the sweetest of butter and her
market as fine beef and mutton as any
land can supply. One season with an
other she raises food sufficient to supply
the wants of population Of twenty mil
lions. Yet strange, sad, but true it is
that Notwithstanding the productiveness
of her soil many Of her children perish
for the want of bread. j.
Why do frugal people in fruitful
land suffer such terrible miseries? For